What would be the right definition of ‘Democracy’? What exactly does the word imply? Why is it misinterpreted by vested interests? How are we to grasp the correct inference? Thanthai Periyar answered these questions through his editorial in ‘Kudi Arasu’ weekly issue of 28th August, 1948.
Shall we see how he explained ‘Democracy’?
Dear readers, friends, followers and well-wishers, the people ruling us today keep saying that they are the people’s government and that they are at the helm only for the welfare of the people. They call themselves democrats but are they really democratic? Their governance makes us believe that democracy has been given by them a deep burial. People are baffled by their misuse of the word democracy.
Three vital rights
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In a truly democratic country, people should have three indispensable vital rights:
1. The right to streamline, revamp and reform the activities of the Government.
2. The right to monitor, control and keep a track of every move of the Government.
3. The right to criticise every regressive implementation and anti-people policy of the Government.
I am shocked to find that our people have been denied these prime rights. They are not allowed to comment on the Government freely and frankly. Once they assume office, these dictators take it for granted that their authority is unquestionable. The voice of the people is being stifled. They think they would be in power for ever. Infact they wish to make their rule everlasting but it is like building castles in the air. How can the rulers expect people to remain indifferent and insensitive to their misuse of power and maladministration? It is against the ethics of democracy. The basic rights of people should never be seized. Such a seizure is an unpardonable social injustice.
We – the people
It is adumbrated in our Constitution that sovereignty rests with ‘we – the people’ and nobody else. The preamble has laid emphasis on this firmly by a strong stress. Parties contesting elections may talk endlessly to grab public mandate. They are free to adopt their own tactics to win the election. Once a party wins and assumes Governance, it should not expect sympathy or blind support from people. It should not function for the welfare of the party, though it heads the Government. It becomes absolutely people’s government and hence the image of the party, naturally must be of secondary importance. Its bounden duty is to see that those three vital rights of the people are conserved, protected and safe guarded.
The right to resist
People reserve the right to resist anti-people schemes. They can raise voice against any move that is made without the unanimous consent of the people. Their voice should not be stifled under any circumstance. Those three rights specified by me are like an invaluable treasure for the people.
People should be allowed to comment on the bills tabled and passed in the State Assembly or the Central legislature. Unfulfilled promises can certainly be questioned by the common public who had bestowed their mandate in elections. But this condition does not prevail at present. Labourers are punished for their reasonable demands. Communists are being blamed quite unreasonably when labourers seek justice. People face the charges of attempts to topple the Government. Such baseless charges are undemocratic, indeed.
Rivals inside the camp
Generally the rivals of a Government exist in its own camp. Instead of identifying the wolves under sheep’s clothing, the rulers accuse innocent people. Recently we did watch in our own state many ministries toppled by the ploy of the rivals inside the camp. There are many who pretend to be well-wishers of the Government but stab at the back. The rulers in the present Government should weed out betraying elements instead of frowning at the questioning common man.
Our Dravidar Kazhagam movement never hatches plans to topple the Government. People who criticise us are either ignorant of politics – or bent upon tarnishing the image of our movement. We always protest silently; never violently. We use black – flag protest in a peaceful and democratic manner. We avoid untoward incidents.
Objecting to our peaceful protests is dictatorial and tyrannical. These rulers pretend to be infavour of democracy but in practise they are infact against it. When our cadres wave black – flags as a mark of protest they are arrested under the charge of disturbing social order and peace. Is this fair in a democratic country? However, we have got used to such atrocities now. Rulers usually resort to false allegations to save their own skin. People cannot be deceived at all times. Truth would triumph ultimately and anti-people rulers would surely be punished one day or the other.
Freedom of three kinds
Democracy grants three kinds of freedom to all the citizens – freedom of speech, thought and action. Therefore imposing ban on public speeches, curbing the criticism of people and punishing people for justified action – are all against democracy. Sentencing journalists for publishing articles criticising the government is also undemocratic. We find these days our people are being denied the three prime freedoms time and again. Undeniably it is sheer mockery of democracy.
Black – flag protests are quite common in many of the world countries. It is a non-violent agitation. The rulers prohibiting it are opponents of democracy. I urge upon all our cadres not to be deterred by the threat of arrest. Face the consequences bravely and make people realise the folly of the government. Eternal vigilance is essential to curb every undemocratic move of the government.
Seizure of State – rights
True democracy lies in conserving the rights of every State. The sentiments of the people of a state must be respected at all cost. Their culture and language should be honoured. Imposing unacceptable schemes on a State and forcing it to tolerate should be given up.
Encouraging superstitions and blind beliefs, religious extremism, gender bias, caste based disparities and communal fanaticism are also undemocratic. Anti-people moves are all always condemnable; never commendable. Tarnishing our self-respect and ignoring scientific outlook are also against democracy. Let us all continue to fight against the rulers who try to crush democracy under their heels.
Source: ‘Kudi Arasu’
Translated by : M.R. Manohar
